USA > New Hampshire > A gazetteer of the state of New-Hampshire by John Farmer and Jacob B. Moore ; embellished with an accurate map of the state, and several other engravings by Abel Bowen > Part 14
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cock, E. by Peterborough, S. by Jaffrey, W. by Marlborough and Roxbury, containing 26,560 acres. It is 10 miles from Keene, 50 from Concord and 70 from Boston .- Dublin is situated on the height of land between Connecticut and Merrimack rivers. Its streams are small ; those on the W. side run into the Ashuelot, those on the E. into Contoocook river. There is a pond near the middle of the town called Centre pond, one mile in length and about the same in breadth. In the N. part is North pond. A large portion of the Grand Monadnock lies in the N. W. part of Dublin, and near the centre of the town is Breed's mountain .- Monadnock was formerly covered with a growth of small timber and shrubbery, but fires having run over it at different times, it presents lit- tle more than ragged rocks. Be- tween the rocks,however, there are low whortleberry bushes, which produce great quantities of fruit of a very rich flavor. The season for ripening is the latter part of Aug- ust, and to those who ascend the summit at this season, they are pe- culiarly grateful. The soil is rocky and hard of cultivation. The land in general is much better for graz- ing than tillage. There is a band- some congregational meeting-house built in 1818, standing on such an elevation, that the rain which falls from the W. roof runs into the Con- necticut, and that from the E. roof into. the Merrimack. The baptist meeting-house is in the N. W. part of the town. There are 10 school districts, which average about 50 scholars to each district. The late Rev. Edward Sprague bequeathed nearly 8000 dollars for the support of public schools, the annual inter-
DUBLIN, a post-township in Cheshire county, in lat. 45° 54', is flest of which is to be applied to this
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object. He also left the town ||Asa Bullard, 1793 ; Amos Twitch- $5000, the interest of which paid ell, 1802 ; Amos Allen, 1808 ; Eb- enezer Morse, 1810 ; Samuel Morse, 1811 ; Thomas Hardy, 1812 ; Daniel Elliot, 1813. The number of deaths for 6 years prece- ding 1822, was 94. Pop. 1620. quarterly, is to be applied to the support of an ordained congrega- tional minister who shall statedly preach in Dublin. Besides this liberal provision for the support of the gospel, the town has $3000 aris- DUMMER, township, Coos co. is in lat. 44º 37/, bounded N. by Mills- field and Errol, E. by Cambridge, S. by Paulsburgh, W. by Kilkenny, and comprises 23,040 acres. It was granted March 8, 1773, to Mark H. Wentworth, Nathaniel A. Haven and others ; is watered by the Am- onoosuck and Ameriscoggin ; and contains but 27 inhabitants. ing from the sale of ministerial lands, and the interest of this sum is to be applied to the same purpose. There is a social library, incorpora- ted in 1797, and containing 110 volumes. There is a ladies' libra- ry instituted in 1802,containing 140 volumes. The Dublin musical so- ciety was incorporated in June, 1821. Dublin, originally called Mo- DUNBARTON, a post-township in Hillsborough county, in lat. 43º 5/, is bounded N. by Hopkinton and Bow, E. by Bow and Hooksett, S. by Goffstown and W. by Weare, containing about 21,000 acres. It is 7 miles from Hopkinton, 9 from Concord, and 65 from Boston. The situation of this town is some- what elevated, though there are but few hills, nor any mountains. The air is clear, the water is good, and the health of its inhabitants is seldom interrupted by sickness. The forest trees are principally chesnut, pine and oak. The soil is good, peculiarly suited for corn, wheat and orcharding. Almost ev- ery lot in town is capable of mak- ing a good farm. The farmers here have good buildings and are excel- lent husbandmen. There are few towns in the county, in passing through which, we see so many good houses as in Dunbarton. The ad- vantages in point of water privileg- es are not great. There is a social library incorporated in 1793, con- taining about 180 volumes. There are several charitable and religious associations. The inhabitants are principally descendants of Scotch Irish, so called, from the N. of Ire- nadnock No. 3, was granted Nov. 3, 1749 to Matthew Thornton, Samp- son Stoddard and others. It was incorporated by charter, March 29, 1771. The first settlements were in 1762 by John Alexander, Henry Strongman, and William Scott, who were natives of Ireland, from the capital of which country, the town was called Dublin. Other settlers, principally from Massachu- setts, soon arrived, of whom were Thomas, John and Eli Morse, Ben- jamin Mason, Samuel Twitchell, Moses Adams, Silas Stone, and William McNee. The congrega- tional church was formed June 10, 1772, and Rev. Joseph Farrar was ordained at the same time. He was dismissed Jan. 7, 1776. Rev. Edward Sprague was ordained No- vember 12, 1777, and died Dec. 16, 1817, aged 68. Rev. Levi W. Leonard was ordained Sept. 6, 1820. The baptist church was or- ganized Nov. 5, 1785. Rev. Etijah Willard was ordained June 5, 1793. This church is composed of mem- bers belonging to Dublin and sever- al of the adjacent towns. The following persons have received a public education, all at Dartmouth.
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land. Most of the first settlers was an increase to its number of came from Londonderry in this 140. Pop. 1450. state, but several were originally from Scotland and Ireland. Their posterity still retain many traits of character peculiar to that people. Dunbarton was granted in 1751, to Archibald Stark, Caleb Page and others, by the Masonian Proprie- tors. It was first called Starks- Town, in honor of the principal proprietor. Its present name is derived from Dumbarton in Scot- Jand, from whence Stark emigrated.
The first settlement. was made a- bout 1749, by Joseph Putney, James Rogers, William Putney and Oba- diah Foster. These families settled in the E. part of the town. Capt. Caleb Page, from that part of Ha- verhill, now Atkinson, was one of the first settlers-was proprietors' clevk many years, and held several of the first offices in town after it was incorporated. Archibald Stark resided in Manchester. He was a man of considerable influence and possessed a large landed property. Two of his sons, William and Arch- ibald, were early settlers. Wil- liam held several civil offices and was colonel of the militia. Wil- Jiam Stinson was born in Ireland, came to Londonderry with his fa- ther. He was much respected and was a useful man. James Rogers was from Ireland, and father to Major Robert Rogers. He was shot in the woods, being mistaken for a bear. [See Hist. Collections Vol. 1, p 240.]. The congregation- al church was formed June 18, 1789, by Rev. Messrs. Waters and Cram. Rev. Walter Harris was ordained August 26, 1789. There have been two periods of attention to religion in this place, viz. in 1792-3, when 80 were added to the church, and in 1816, when there
DUNSTABLE, a post-township in Hillsborough county, in lat. 42º 44', is bounded N. by the town of Mer- rimack, E. by Merrimack river, which separates it from Notting- ham-West, S. by Tyngsborough and Dunstable, Ms. and W. by Hollis, containing 18,878 acres. It is 13 miles from Amherst, 34 from Con- cord, and 34 from Boston. The soil has considerable variety. It is easy of cultivation, and is general- ly productive. The east part of the town lying on the river presents a very level surface. The W. parts are more divided into hills and valleys, but the whole township may be considered far from being hilly or mountainous. It is wa- tered by the Nashua river, a fer- tilizing stream, which rises in the state of Massachusetts, and Sal- mon-Brook, a small stream which originates from several ponds in Groton. Both of these empty into Merrimack river, the former at Nashua village, the latter about one and a half miles below. On Sal- mon brook are 2 grist mills, 1 saw mill, 1 fulling mill, and 4 tripham- mer shops, at which are annually manufactured 1500 dozen of hoes, besides scythes, axes, &c. The road form Boston to Amherst pas- ses through this town nearly paral- lel with the Merrimack. There is a handsome meeting house, erected in 1812, and a number of dwelling houses, which constitute a pleasant village. In the N. E. part of the town on Nashua river is the largest village in town, and the place of greatest business. (See Nashua Village.) There is a library con- taining about 300 volumes. Dun- stable is the oldest town in Hillsbo- rough county. It was granted about the year 1672 to five individuals,
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and included Litchfield, a corner remembrance by a popular song, of Londonderry, Nottingham-West, Tyngsborough and Dunstable in Mass., Pepperell, as far as the orig- inal line of Groton, Townsend, Hollis, Brookline, and all that part of Milford, Amherst and Merri- mack, S. E. of Souhegan river. It was settled about the time it was granted. Its name was given in compliment to Mrs. Tyng, who, it is said, came from Dunstable, in Bed- fordshire, Eng. Her husband, the Hon. Edward Tyng, emigrated to New-England about 1630 ; settled in Dunstable soon after its incor- poration, and died in Dec. 1681, aged 90. The names of Weld, Blanchard, Waldo,Cumings, French, Lovewell, Farwell, Lund and Col- burn were among the early inhab- itants of the town, which, in 1680, contained 30 families. Dunstable was for a long time a frontier town, and the first settlers were many times annoyed by the Indians in the successive wars in which this country was engaged with them. In the war with the famous Narra- ganset sachem, this town was much exposed, and some of the inhabit- ants fled to older settlements. In the spring of 1702, the town was attacked, and several persons, with the Rev. Thomas Weld, the first minister, were killed. In 1724, two men being missing, a scout of eleven went in quest of them, who were fired upon by thirty of the en- emy, and nine of them were killed. The other two made their escape, though one of them was badly wounded. In Lovewell's war, the company from this town under the brave Capt. John Lovewell, acqui- red an imperishable name. Their successes at first and misfortunes afterwards have been often repeat- ed and are generally known. They were for many years kept in fresh colleague with Mr. Kidder, Sept. 3,
which, after the lapse of a century, has not yet sunk into oblivion. From this homely effusion of grat- itude to the memory of such hero- ic spirits, the praises of the "worthy Capt. Lovewell" and his coadju- tors, often resounded from the hum- ble cottage of the poor and the stately mansion of the opulent. Dunstable belonged to Massachu- setts till the divisional line between the two provinces of Mass. and N. H. were settled in 1741. It was incorporated by N. H. April 1, 1746. The congregational church was gathered in 1685. Its original members were Rev. Thomas Weld, Jonathan Tyng, John Cumings, John Blanchard, Cornelius Waldo, Samuel Warner, Obadiah Perry and Samuel French. Rev. Thom- as Weld, from Roxbury, who grad- uated at Harvard College in 1671, was ordained Dec. 16, 1685, and was killed by the Indians in April or May, 1702. Rev. Nathaniel Prentice, who graduated at Har- vard College in 1715, was the suc- cessor of Mr. Weld. He died Feb. 25, 1737. Rev. Josiah Swan, who graduated at Harvard college in 1733, was ordained Dec. 27, 1738, and was dismissed in 1746. Rev. Simon Bird, from Dorchester, was ordained Aug. 31, 1747 ; dismissed 1751. The settlement of Mr. Bird caused a division in the church and town. A new church was formed, and another meeting house erected. After his dismission the two church- es were united. Rev. Joseph Kid- der, from Billerica, a graduate from Yale College in 1764, was the next minister. He was ordained March 18, 1767; his civil contract was dissolved June 15, 1796 ; he died Sept. 6, 1818, aged 77. Rev. Eb- enezer P. Sperry was ordained as
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1813, and dismissed in April, 1819. [main river near Pascataqua bridge. Hon. JONATHAN BLANCHARD, who was a delegate from N. Hamp- shire to the continental congress, during the confederation of the states, was a native and resident in this town. In conjunction with the Rev. Dr. Langdon, he published a map of New-Hampshire, which was inscribed to the Hon. Charles Townsend, Esq., his Majesty's sec- retary at war, and one of the privy council. He was the judge of pro- bate in Hillsborough county, and was much in public business till his death in 1788. Pop. 1142.
DURAND, an incorporated town- ship in the county of Coos, lat. 44° 22/is situated directly under the north end of the White Mountains its S. E. corner bounding on the base of Mount Madison, the E. peak of the range. It has Maynes- borough on the N.,Shelburne E.,and Kilkenny W. It contains about 26,680 acres. Branches of Israel's and Moose rivers pass through Du- rand. The soil is in some parts good, but the town increases slow- ly in its settlements. It was grant- ed Aug. 20, 1772, to John Durand and others, of London. Joseph Wilder and Stephen Jillson were the first settlers. Pop. 78.
DURHAM,a post-town in Strafford co., adjoining Rockingham, in lat. 43º 7',is bounded N.E. by Madbury, E. and S. E. by Little and Great Bays, S. by New-Market, and W. by Lee, comprising 14,970 acres. The situation of this town upon the Pascataqua and its branches, is very favorable both as to water power and transportation. Oys- ter river, one of the branches of the Pascataqua, issues from Wheel- wright's pond in Lee, and after run- ing nearly its whole course in Dur- ham,furnishing in its progress sever- al convenient mill seats,falls into the
The tide flows in this branch up to the falls near the meeting-house in the village, where business to a large amount is annually transac- ted. This village contains 68 dwelling-houses, and about 550 in- habitants ; and is a very central depot for the lumber and produce of the adjacent country ; the water carriage hence to Portsmouth being as convenient as from the head of the tide of any other branch of the Pascataqua. Lamprey river, anoth- er branch of the Pascataqua, runs through the westerly part of this town over several falls remarkably well adapted for mill seats into the town of New-Market, where it falls into the Great Bay. The soil of this town is generally hard and sto- ny, lying for the most part through- out the town upon a chain of gran- ite ledges, which appear to be of primitive formation -- but where it meets with proper cultivation, it is very productive in the usual crops adapted to this climate. Upon both sides of Oyster river, a deep argillaceous loam prevails, which is peculiarly favorable to the pro- duction of the grasses, of which very heavy crops are cut, and hay is an article of considerable export. The extensive ledges before allu- ded to have been the source of muchi profitable employment to the inhabitants of this town. From the excellent quality of the stone, the skill with which it is prepared, and the convenience of water car- riage, there has been a constant de- mand from many of the neighbor- ing towns for underpinning, steps, mill-stones, &c. A large block of detached granite in the southeast part of this town was formerly pla- ced in a very singular situation. Its weight was 60 or 70 tons, and it was poised so exactly upon two
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other stones as to be visibly moved || house and even then the boys would by the wind. It was some years not surrender till the Indians had promised to spare their lives. The latter however perfidiously mur- dered three or four children, one of whom they fixed upon a sharp stake in the view of its mother. The women and children were car- ried captive, but one of the boys made his escape the next day. The next spring the Indians narrowly watched the frontiers to determine the safest and most vulnerable points of attack. The settlement at Oyster river was selected for destruction. Here were twelve garrisoned houses, amply sufficient for the reception of the inhabitants, but not apprehending any danger, many of the families remained in their unfortified houses, and those who were in the garrisons were but indifferently prepared for a siege, as they were destitute of powder. The enemy approached the place undiscovered and halted near the falls. One John Dean, whose house stood near the falls, happening to rise very early for a journey before the dawn of day, was shot as he came out of his door. The attack now commen- ced on all points, where the ene- my was ready. Of the twelve garrisoned houses five were -des- troyed, Adams,' Drew's, Edgerly's, Meader's, and Beard's. The en- emy entered Adams' without resis- tance, where they murdered four- teen persons, whose graves can still be traced. Drew surrendered his garrison on promise of securi- ty, but he was put to death. One of his children, only nine years old, was compelled to run through a line of Indians as a mark for their hatchets. Edgerly's garrison was evacuated, the people having fled to their boats, one of whom was mortally wounded in attempting to = since dislodged from this extraor- dinary position by the barbarous curiosity of some visitors, who after much labor succeeded in pry- ing it from its balance by levers. About one half of that part of Pascataqua bridge N. of Goat Is !- and is within the limits of this town. The town is very well ac- commodated with other bridges and roads. Durham was original- ly a part of Dover, and included in Hilton's patent ; but soon after its settlement was formed into a distinct parish by the name of Oys- ter river, from the stream which passes through it. From the abun- dance of excellent oysters found in its waters, this river probably de- rived its name, and it was a famous rendezvous of the Indians, espec- ially at the point about a mile from the junction of Oyster river with the Pascataqua. In September, 1675, the Indians made an attack at Oys- ter river, burned two houses, kill- ed several, men and carried away two captives. Two days after this attack they made another, destroy- ed several houses and killed two persons. In 1694, when a large part of the inhabitants had march- erl to the westward, the Indians who were dispersed in the woods about Oyster river, having diligent- ly observed the number of men in one of the garrisons, rushed upon eighteen of them, as they were go- ing to their morning devotions, and having cut off their retreat to the house put them all to death except one, who fortunately escaped. They then attacked the house, in which there were only two boys beside the women and children. The boys kept them off for some time and wounded several of them. At length the Indians set fire to the
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escape. Beard's and Meader's][several persons. Minute accounts were also evacuated and their in- habitants escaped. The unfortifi- ed houses were all set on fire, the people being either put to death or captured in them. Some escaped, concealing themselves in the bush- es and elsewhere. Thomas Edg- erly having hid himself in his cel- lar preserved his house, though it was twice set on fire. The house of John Buss the minister was des- troyed, together with his valuable library. He was absent at the time, and his wife and family fled to the woods. Many other cruel- ties were perpetrated, when the Indians fearing that the inhabitants from the neighboring settlements would collect against them, retreat- ed, having killed or captured be- tween 90 and 100 persons and des- troyed 20 houses, 5 of which were garrisoned. In 1703, the Indians made another incursion and killed one man. In 1704, several per- sons were murdered bv them; and in 1705, a small party attacked the house of John Drew, where they put eight people to death and wounded several others. May 22, 1707, two men were captured from Durham, and two others were mur- dered as they were on a journey from that town to Dover. In Sep- tember following, a party of Mo- hawks attacked a company of peo- ple, who were at work in the woods under the direction of Capt. Ches- ley. At the first fire they killed 7 and wounded another. Chesley, with his few surviving companions, continued a brisk fire on the ene- my, and for some time kept them off, but at length fell, overpowered by numbers. He was deeply la- mented as a brave officer. In 1724, the Indians made another in- cursion into this town, fornied an ambush near the road and murdered
of these disasters are given in Bel- knap's Hist. N. H., to which the reader is referred. The first preach- er who statedly officiated in Dur- ham was John Buss ; but he never was ordained. He died 1736, at the age of 108. Rev. Hugh Adams set- tled March 26, 1718 ; dismissed 1739. Rev. Nicholas Gilman settled in 1741; died 1748. Rev. John Ad- ams settled 1748 ; dismissed 1778. Rev. Curtis Coe settled Nov. 1, 1780; dismissed 1806. Rev. Fed- eral Burt was ordained June 18, 1817. There are also methodist and baptist societies in this town. Durham social library was incorpo- rated June 20, 1815, and contains upwards of 400 volumes. The av- erage number of deaths for ten years is 16. Maj. Gen. JOHN SUL- LIVAN, of the revolutionary army, was a resident of this town, and died here Jan. 23, 1795. He was a native of Berwick, Me .; was a distinguished commander during the war; was president of the state three years, and afterwards district judge of N. H. On all oc- casions, he proved himself the firm supporter of the rights of the coun- try. Hon. EBENEZER THOMP. SON was a native of this town. He sustained several offices dur- ing the revolution, and was an ef- ficient legislator and a respectable ? lawyer. Col. WINBORN ADAMS, of the revolutionary army, was a ' citizen of Durham. Hon. GEORGE ? FFROST, of this town was a delegate in Congress for 1776, 7 and 9 ; a judge of the common pleas in Straf- ford, and subsequently chief jus- tice of that court. He died at Durham, June 21, 1796, aged 77. Durham was incorporated May 13, 1738. Pop. in 1820-1538.
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E. EAST-KINGSTON, a township, in Rockingham county, in lat, 42º 57', is bounded N. by Exeter, E. by Kensington, S. by South-Hampton, W. and N. W. by Kingston, of which it formerly constituted a part-containing about 3 square miles. Its soil is of an excellent quality, and well. adapted to the cultivation of grain and grass. Powow river crosses the S. W. part of this town, having its sour- ces in the ponds of Kingston. The town was incorporated Nov. 17, 1738. Among the first settlers were William and Abraham Smith, who settled near the centre of the town. Rev. Peter Coffin was set- tled here in 1739 ; and was dismis- sed in 1772-since which time they have had no stated preaching. They have a meeting-house, and several school-houses ; also mills and machinery sufficient for the use of the inhabitants. Pop. 443.
EATON, post-township, Strafford county, in lat. 43º 53', ; 71 miles from Concord, 41 from Gilford, 71 from Portsmouth ; is bounded N. by Conway, W. by Burton and Tamworth, S. by Ossipee and Ef- fingham, E. by the state of Maine, and comprises 33,637 acres. The soil of the uplands, which are quite uneven, is moderately good, and the plains furnish excellent pine timber. There are no rivers in this town ; the mill streams are fed principally by springs and small brooks. Six mile pond is in this town, and is about 3 miles long and from one half to one mile in width -its waters discharge into Ossipee lake. There are several other smaller ponds in this town. Eaton was granted Nov. 7, 1766, to Clem- ent March and 65 others. A bap-
tist church was formed here in 1800, which has now become ex- tinct. There are two free-will bap- tist societies, the first organized in 1803, the latter in 1821. There is a woollen factory for making sat- tinetts, &c. and several mills. Pop. 1071. This town is the only in- stance in the state where the pop- ulation has doubled within the last ten years. Iron ore in considera- ble quantity, exists among the ledg- es in this town, and is judged to be of good quality.
EFFINGHAM, post-town, Straf- ford county, in lat. 43º 44', is bounded N., W. & S.W. by Ossipee, S. by Wakefield, E. by Parsonsfield, Me., and contains about 34,900 acres. There are several moun- tains of considerable elevation in this town. The Ossipee river pas- ses through this town, over which is a toll-bridge. There is a pond about 400 rods long and 270 wide, situated near this river. Province pond lies between Effingham and Wakefield. Effingham was settled a few years prior to the revolution. It was then known by the nanie of Leavitt's Town. In 1775, it con- tained no more than 83 inhabitants. It was incorporated Aug. 18, 1778. Rev. Gideon Burt was settled over the congregational church in 1803 ; dismissed in 1805; and the church is now vacant. A baptist church was formed here in 1808, and con- sists of 72 members. The Effing- ham academy was incorporated in 1819, and is a respectable institu- tion. Pop. 1563.
ELLIS' river, rises on the E: side of the White Mountains, in sever- al small streams, near the sources of Peabody river ; and separating into two streams which unite in Adams, it falls into the Saco at Bartlett.
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